Charitable Giving by Angelenos Lagged Other Metro Areas in 2016

$87 million in giving failed to score among the top 10 regions in seven out of eight sectors

A snapshot of giving by a charity arm of Fidelity Investments suggests that Los Angeles donors give most to education charities, human services and religious causes.

A report by Fidelity Charitable, which claims to be the nation’s largest grant maker and charity through its donor advised fund, said L.A. donors recommended $87 million for 29,000 grants last year that averaged $3,000 each, of which 48 percent were earmarked for local charities by nearly 2,500 giving accounts.

Of those, the UCLA Foundation, Southern California Public Radio, the KOCE-TV Foundation and the Salvation Army proved most popular.

At the same time, the Fidelity Charitable ranking suggested L.A. philanthropy in 2016 failed to keep up with cities across the nation.

Greater Los Angeles failed to score among the top 10 regions for grants to nonprofits in seven out of eight philanthropic sectors, from education to the environment and animals. It then placed last in list of cities giving to international affairs.

Other top nonprofits supported by Angelenos, in order of funds given last year, were the University of Southern California, Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles, City of Hope, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the Union Rescue Mission.

Health business reporter Dana Bartholomew can be reached at dbartholomew@labusinessjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @_DanaBart.